AB de Villiers has drawn an ambitious comparison between England’s Jacob Bethell and India’s teenage batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, putting the spotlight on how their careers could unfold if they get the right opportunities. Bethell, part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s setup, has struggled to find consistent playing time this season. However, after Phil Salt suffered a finger injury, Bethell finally received a run in the XI and has opened the innings for RCB in each of their last four matches.
In that stretch, Bethell has contributed 43 runs at an average of 10.75, striking at 138.71. The 22-year-old is widely viewed as a potential cornerstone for England’s future, and his name has been circulating beyond IPL circles as well. Recently, attention intensified when former England captain Alastair Cook suggested Bethell should focus on county cricket rather than spending time warming the bench at RCB.
Cook’s remarks did not sit well with Kevin Pietersen, who backed Bethell’s cause and argued that he should remain in India even without heavy match involvement. Pietersen’s view was that working around established, high-quality international players can accelerate a young batter’s development, giving him the exposure needed to grow faster.
Sooryavanshi, meanwhile, has been turning heads for Rajasthan Royals with a standout run of form. The 15-year-old currently sits fifth in the race for the Orange Cap, having amassed 404 runs in 10 matches. His average stands at 40.40, while his strike rate is 237.64, underlining both consistency and big-scoring ability.
De Villiers likens Bethell to Sooryavanshi
Speaking on his YouTube podcast, De Villiers was asked about Bethell by a fan, and he responded by calling the England batter an exceptional talent. De Villiers said he believes he has mentioned Bethell’s name “a few times,” agreeing with the fan’s assessment and describing him as a “wonderful” player, while also stressing that there are still plenty of hurdles ahead.
He added that, although the two are at different stages of their careers, there is a striking similarity in their left-handed batting profile. De Villiers said that Bethell reminds him of Sooryavanshi—highlighting that both represent bright prospects for cricket, yet still have much to learn and many challenges to overcome before they reach their full potential.
De Villiers further suggested that both players have “superstar” credentials, and that experience over time could make them formidable. He expressed hope that Jacob remains with RCB, saying he has no doubt the franchise will have plans to keep him for years. In his view, Bethell also has the capability to deliver match-winning performances for RCB in the future.
RCB’s investment and Bethell’s role
RCB bought Bethell for ₹2.60 crore ahead of the 2025 season. He grabbed attention with a quick 55 against Chennai Super Kings, but his tournament ended early due to England commitments. Bethell was retained for IPL 2026 as well, yet for now he is positioned behind Phil Salt and Virat Kohli in the pecking order for the opening role.
